• In Georgia, a motorcycle owner or rider must establish insurance in order to own or operate a motorcycle. Your motorcycle insurance is critical in the event of a motorcycle crash in Atlanta and may be your best source of securing your financial security in the event of a serious crash-related injury. This is an important-and legally necessary-investment and should not be overlooked.
• Your most viable option for establishing motorcycle insurance in Georgia will likely be to buy traditional liability insurance through any auto insurance company that is approved to provide such insurance in Georgia.

What Motorcycle Insurance in Georgia Must Cover

• Valid motorcycle insurance in Georgia will meet the following requirements:
• at least $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person when a motorcycle crash occurs;
• a minimum of $50,000 for bodily injury or death of at least two people in an accident; and
• coverage for damages of at least $25,000 to one's property as a result of an accident.
• Additionally in Georgia, as a motorcycle owner, you have to carry proof of insurance at all times when you're riding on the road. Any police office, local or state, can ask to see this when pulling someone over who's riding a motorcycle.

Additional Georgia Motorcycle Requirements

• As another note when considering riding a motorcycle in Georgia: all riders and passengers are required to wear a safety helmet when riding in Georgia. This safety measure is intended to protect you in the event of a motorcycle crash in Atlanta.

Please contact our agency to see just how inexpensive it is to get covered and not be breaking the law.

The insurance approach for covering boats and boating property is quite like what is used to protect cars and homes. Essentially insurance is offered on a package basis, meaning that there is coverage for physical property as well as protection against the legal and financial consequences of injuring others or damaging property that belongs to others.
Property Coverage - Typically a boatowners policy covers:

• Boats - Refers to property designed to travel on water and includes sails, its permanent equipment, spars and fittings.
• Boating Equipment - Includes a wide variety of property that is used in conjunction with boats and it includes accessories. Items considered as equipment are property used for communication (radios), navigation, sonar, radar, outboard motors, dinghies, skis and sports equipment (recreational flotation devices) that are towed by boats and similar property. As a rule of thumb, the more related an item is to the ownership and use of a boat, the greater the justification to classify it as boating equipment.
• Boat Trailers - Trailers used (and designed) for transporting boats (as defined by the policy).

This property must be owned by the person who is named as the policyholder. There are limited instances when such property that is temporarily in the policyholder’s possession also qualifies for coverage.
Items and situations that aren’t covered include boating property that is used in business activity, losses that involve races or competitions (an exception is made for sailboats) and boats that are used, full-time, as residences.
Liability Coverage - Besides protecting boating property, a boatowners policy also responds to claims or lawsuits caused when another person is injured, and /or when another person’s property is damaged or destroyed.

• An example would be a collision where the owner of a large speedboat collides with a person on a jet ski, seriously injuring the rider and demolishing the jet ski. The policy would handle both portions of such a loss. The liability portion would also provide a legal defense against lawsuits.
• Another important coverage under the liability section is medical payments. This provides reimbursement for, typically, emergency or immediate medical treatment expense. Consider a person who slips on a boat deck and needs transportation to an emergency for treatment of a broken bone or concussion. Such costs would qualify under medical payments.
• As is the case with property coverage, there are liability situations that are NOT covered by a boatowners policy, including losses that involve business activity, transmission of communicable disease, unauthorized operation of boating property, intentional acts, and criminal activity.

Boating property is a substantial investment and boatowners coverage is an efficient, affordable way to guard against accidental losses. Our agency can help you find the coverage you need.

Employees routinely use their own vehicles in their jobs or just to run errands for their employer. Does your company have protection in case of an accident and both your worker and your company are sued?

• If your company has a business auto policy, it should include coverage for ‘non-owned’ automobiles. These are vehicles owned by others (such as an employee) that are used in the business of the company. Generally a business auto policy only protects against losses involving company-owned vehicles, so it is important to add "non-owned" coverage.
• Basic business auto insurance only covers employees while operating a company-owned vehicle to perform company business. An employee’s personal automobile policy may exclude business use; so a coverage gap may exist if an employer’s vehicle policy is not modified to handle non-owned vehicles.
• Another important consideration is whether the amount of non-owned coverage is sufficient. Any non-owned auto liability limits should be high enough to protect both the business and the employee. A company has to evaluate its particular coverage need in order to determine the proper level of coverage. Including ‘non-owned’ auto liability coverage on the business policy will provide coverage for the business over any deficiency in limit from the employee’s personal auto policy. This is coverage for the BUSINESS, not the employee.
• If the company does not own any automobiles, it is possible to purchase business auto liability coverage for only the danger of loss involving its use of ‘hired and non-owned’ vehicles. The ‘hired’ portion would cover business travel and vehicle rentals; the ‘non-owned’ portion would cover employees using their own auto in the business.

Even if a business rarely uses non-owned autos, it only takes one serious accident to create a significant loss for the business. You should find an opportunity to discuss this coverage with one of our insurance agents.

Motor vehicle theft takes a human as well as a financial toll
A motor vehicle—car, SUV, truck, bus or motorcycle—is stolen in the United States approximately every 45 seconds. In addition, parts of cars, like airbags and catalytic converters (which are stolen for their recycling value) are stolen out of the cars themselves. Cars and car parts stolen in the United States often wind up on overseas markets, making recovery impossible.
And, though armed auto theft represents a small percentage of the incidents, carjacking is a violent crime that can add a dire emotional toll and even bodily harm to the financial loss.
Auto theft is covered under the comprehensive portion of a car insurance policy. However, as always, it's better to prevent a loss than to deal with the fallout of having your vehicle stolen.
Prevent motor vehicle theft
There are a number of things that make your vehicle attractive to thieves—including make, model and the value of certain parts. Know that it's not always the most valuable, the flashiest or the most expensive car makes and models that are most desirable. So whatever your car, don't make it convenient for would-be criminals. Take these precautionary measures—and check with your insurer; some may even help lower your premium.

• Keep your doors locked and windows shut anytime you're not in your car, even for a few minutes.
• Make valuables invisible. Don't give thieves more motivation to break into your car. If you have to leave personal property in your car, keep it in the trunk. Even in areas you think are safe, don't leave a purse or other valuables on the car seat unattended.
• Park in secure, highly trafficked and well-lit areas. In public parking garages or areas, stay as close as possible to guard booths or store entrances. Best case, keep your car in a garage and always lock the door to your home garage.
• Make use of anti-theft devices. Use a security device like a steering wheel lock or a gearshift column lock—the more difficult it is to take the car, the less likely a would-be thief will target your vehicle. Most new cars include tracking devices, which can help locate a stolen car, but these are available for purchase and installation into older cars, as well. Check with your insurance pro about how your anti-theft device might qualify you for a discount.
• Exploit your vehicle identification (VIN) number. The VIN number is utilized by a number of law enforcement agencies and databases and insurance databases to make it harder for car thieves to sell a stolen car or its parts.
• The VIN is usually found on the dashboard on the driver’s side of the car. Mark your VIN prominently: Use paint or an indelible marker to put the VIN under the engine hood and trunk lid and on the battery. This will make it harder for thieves to unload the car, and make it easier for the police to identify the vehicle if recovered.

If the worst happens and your car is stolen, you’ll want to file a police report. Then check that your policy covers car theft and get the claims process started. Notify one of our insurance agents about the incident as soon as possible—the longer you wait, the harder it will be to remember the details.  Note that many insurance companies now use mobile apps, which can help you get the claims filing process started immediately.

What constitutes high-risk?

• Your home is located in an area prone to severe weather such as hurricanes, windstorms, tornadoes or hail.
• You live in an urban area with high crime, vandalism and theft.
• Your home has an old plumbing, electrical and/or heating system—these represent a higher chance of causing fire or water damage.

If the problem is not where the house is located, but the condition that it is in, find out what type of improvements or disaster-resistant features would be needed to make your home more insurable.
Ask for help from one of our insurance agents
We have many markets and can find the one that best suits your needs.

If you own a home; you’ll want to think about the best way to insure it. One goal is to match your needs to the right company. Some companies like new, high-valued homes while some companies do well with older or historic preservation homes. Others are comfortable with country homes or old farm homes. It pays to allow our agency to shop around for you, both for the best coverage and for a company that likes your type of home.
There are two common levels of coverage that you may consider:
Named causes of loss coverage–The policy only covers certain causes of loss to your property. You must prove to the company that one of the covered causes damaged your property.
Risks of physical loss–This covers all causes of loss except those that are excluded. The company must prove that one of the excluded causes of loss damaged your building.
You may want to discuss other types of homeowners coverage if you own a different type of residence such as a modular home, mobile home, apartment, town home, condominium or you have personal living space in a commercial building.
A Basic Homeowners policy usually provides the following:

• Coverage for your building (ask about coinsurance and replacement cost issues).
• Coverage for your outbuildings–garages, sheds, barns, cabanas
• Coverage for personal property is usually 50-75% of your building limit
• Limitations–many policies have special limits on certain types of property, such as theft loss to Jewelry and gems ($1,000), Furs ($1,000), Gold, silverware, pewter ware ($2,500), Guns ($2,000), Building supplies–no coverage for theft. Further, very little coverage may be available of other types of property, regardless of the cause of loss, such as, money, stamps, fine arts, antiques, electronics, boating equipment, etc.
• Limited coverage for personal property that is permanently kept at storage facilities.
• Additional living expense–pays the extra cost of temporary housing, food and other increased costs of living when you are forced from your home by a covered cause of loss.
• Liability coverages–should you accidentally injure other people or damage their property
• Defense costs - includes hiring and paying for a lawyer (if necessary) and paying most court costs.
• Medical payments coverage is for minor injuries to people other than residents of the household. You don't have to be sued or be negligent.

If this short article raises questions about your coverage…good! Contact one of our insurance professionals to get the answers (and the protection) you need.

Life is unpredictable. It pays to know your stuff.Home insurance is important for both homeowners and renters. Homeowners need to purchase insurance to protect their homes and personal property. Those who rent need insurance to protect their furniture and personal property. Everyone needs protection against liability for accidents that injure other people or damage their property.
Whether you live in tornado alley, wildfire zones or along coastlines prone to flooding and hurricanes – now is the time to properly insure your home and possessions.
Each year severe weather disasters across the country generate billions of dollars in damages. But research suggests more than half of consumers do not have an inventory of their possessions. Now is the time to make sure you have properly insured your 'stuff.'
Creating a simple home inventory helps you track what you own and what it is worth, making important insurance decisions easier.
How to create a home inventory

• Group your possessions into logical categories, i.e., by hobby, by room in your home, etc.
• Your list should include celebration purchases like jewelry and art, as well as everyday leisure items such as televisions and guitars.
• Don't forget items you use rarely such as holiday decorations, sports equipment, tools, etc.
• Pull together copies of original sales receipts and/or appraisal documents. Also note model and serial numbers.
• Carefully photograph or videotape each item and document a brief description, including age, purchase price and estimated current value. Download a home inventory checklist (PDF).
• Store your home inventory and related documents in a safe, easily accessible place online, on your computer or in a fire-proof box or safe deposit box. Consider sharing a copy with friends, relatives and your insurance provider.
  
  The NAIC's free myHOME Scr.APP.book downloadable app lets you quickly photograph and capture descriptions of your possessions room by room, then store your inventory electronically for safekeeping. The app is available for Android devices. Click here to watch the demonstration video.
  A home inventory can be invaluable when deciding how much insurance coverage fits your life situation and makes sure you are adequately protected should you need to file a claim.

New drivers can send a parent’s stress-level soaring. Here are some strategies to control a young driver's impact on your peace of mind.

• Consider preparing your child with a course in defensive driving as a tool for avoiding accidents and increasing that driver’s confidence.
• Require your young driver to understand, sign and comply with the Youthful Operator Driver Safety Agreement.
• Be a proper model by using seat belts and never using alcohol or drugs.
• Provide your child with a well-maintained vehicle, equipped with air bags and anti-lock brakes. Also, avoid vehicles that are vulnerable to serious damage during collisions or due to "rolling over."
• Control your child's driving privileges...don't hesitate to curtail or revoke them in response to poor behavior.
• Be certain that he or she can properly pass vehicles, maintain a correct distance, park, merge and exit, change lanes, make turns, obey speed limits and be aware of pedestrians.
• Make sure your child understands traffic laws and has a healthy respect for the power of the automobile.
• Don't let your child become licensed until he or she passes YOUR driving test which must include the ability to drive under adverse conditions (dark, fog, rain, ice, snow, rush-hour traffic, etc.).

Another good idea is to talk to one of our insurance agents about other strategies to keep your new driver safer.

Everyone has insurance issues, even when you’re young and just starting out. Your parents and others mean well in giving you advice, but unless they’re in your same life stage, it’s hard for them to understand.
Understanding insurance doesn’t have to be rocket science. With a little help, it can be easy to make smart choices. In fact, we have lots of ways to increase your insurance IQ. Start by taking our 10-question online quiz at https://insureuonline.org/quiz_under30.htm. Then consider the following fast facts. Some may blow your mind.
NEW CAR

• Before you buy that sweet new ride, check out the insurance costs for the make and model.
• Brainiacs rejoice – good grades may lower your auto insurance premiums.
• Drive a beater? The cost of collision or comprehensive coverage may be more than your car is worth. If it's paid for, you may only need liability.

FIRST APARTMENT

• Though your furniture may come from your parents’ basement, renter’s insurance often costs less than replacing a big-screen TV, computer or high-end gaming console.
• Frequent party host? If your friends royally screw up, even after leaving your place, the cost of property damage and injuries could be on you.
• Spending a little money on a smoke detector or door and window alarms could save you a lot of money on renter’s insurance.

Want to know more? Contact our agency. We know what it’s like to be under 30!

​Do you operate a business from your home?

• If so, it’s likely that you have arranged for the proper coverage to protect your property, such as business equipment and furnishings that you use with that business.
• You, hopefully, have also taken care of your premises liability. In other words, this is protection for injury to business visitors or property damage that is directly related to your in-home operations.
• However, what about losses caused by vehicles?  Are any cars, vans, trucks, etc., used in your business? If so, do you have the right protection?

When is it necessary to switch from a personal to a business auto policy?

• It helps to consider how your vehicle is used. If there’s no difference between how you use your car personally, then you may be safe relying on the protection of your personal auto policy.
• But, rather than guess, you should take a close look at precisely how you do use any vehicle. Both personal and business insurance policies define the type of vehicles that are eligible for coverage.
• One defining item is the weight of a vehicle. In many standard, personal policies, heavier vehicles (those weighing 10,000 pounds or more) are ineligible for personal policy coverage.

Regardless the vehicle weight, a main consideration is the vehicle’s use.

• A Personal Auto Policy for vehicles used to commute to work and for personal travel
• A Business Auto Policy for vehicles used to deliver packages between home and businesses or customers
• A Combination of Personal and Business Auto Coverage, o Often supplemented with the application’s Commercial Auto coverage, for vehicles used to carry persons for hire via smart phone applications

Concerning a home business, some key questions to determine which kind of policy is needed might include the following:

• Does anyone use a car regularly to go to homes or businesses of clients?
• Does anyone travel to perform demonstrations of a product or service?
• Does any vehicle have signage on its exterior that displays the company’s name and contact or other information?
• Is any vehicle owned in the name of a business entity?
• Besides the above, there are other important considerations.
• If you borrow or rent a vehicle to move business equipment, you won’t have coverage under a personal auto policy.
• Also, business use of non-owned pickup trucks, vans or similar vehicles (SUVs, hybrids, etc.) is excluded.
• Home-based business owners also need to be aware that a problem arises when renting a vehicle while on a business trip.
• A personal auto policy may only provide very limited coverage and only under narrow circumstances.

You should seek the advice of one of our trusted insurance agents to examine your business and vehicle use and remove any doubt about your coverage.